2 Corinthians 5:10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may be recompensed for the things done in his body, according to what he has done, whether it be good or bad.

Verse 9 Read Chapter 5 Verse 11

Ambrosiaster

AD 400

If we are going to receive what we have done in the body, it is clear that we shall not be judged without a body, good or bad. Paul does not say “in the flesh,” because the deeds of the flesh always deserve punishment, but “in the body,” because sometimes the body acts spiritually and sometimes it acts carnally. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.

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Augustine of Hippo

AD 430

Christ judges all things because when he is with God he is above all.

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Clement Of Alexandria

AD 215

Non intelligunt ergo, ut videtur, quod "omnes nos oportet manifestari ante tribunal Christi, ut refer at unusquisque per corpus ea quae fecit, sire bonum, sive malum: ". "Quare si quis est in Christo, nova creatura est "nec amplius peccatis dedita: "Vetera praeterierunt "vitam antiquam exuimus: "Ecce enim nova facta sunt"

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Clement Of Alexandria

AD 215

Those who drag in a doctrine of moral indifference do violence to some few passages of Scripture, thinking that they support their own love of pleasure; in particular, the passage “Sin shall have no authority over you; for you are not subject to sin but to grace.” But there are other such passages, which there is no good reason to record for these purposes, as I am not equipping a pirate ship! Let me quickly cut through their attempt. The admirable apostle in person will refute their charge in the words with which he continues the previous quotation: “Well then! Shall we sin because we are no longer under law but under grace? God forbid!” With these inspired prophetic words, at a single stroke he undoes the sophistical skill at the service of pleasure. So they have not understood, it seems, that “we must all appear before Christ’s tribunal, where each must receive what is due to him for his physical conduct, good or bad,” that is, where a person may receive recompense for what he has d... Read More

1 min4/12

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Cornelius a Lapide

AD 1637

For we must all appear. The particle for gives the reason of what has just been said. We strive to please the Lord in all our works, in order that, at the tribunal of Christ, before which we all must stand, we may be gifted with a glorious body, and with the blissful presence of God and the Beatific Vision. We would not be deprived of it with those who, by their evil works, have displeased God. Before the judgment seat of Christ. We must all be made manifest to Christ the Judge and to all men before the dread tribunal, that each may see the good and evil deeds of every one. Hence it follows that Paul and the other Apostles must also be judged, but in such a way that at the same time they may be judges of others, and condemn those who have refused to believe (S. Matthew 19:28). That every one may receive the things done in his body, &c. Glory or punishment will be awarded in proportion to each one"s merits or demerits. Observe1. that the deeds of the body are also deeds of the soul; ... Read More

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Cyprian of Carthage

AD 258

So too in the second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: "We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may bear the things proper to his body, according to those things which he hath done, whether they be good or evil.". Also in the second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians: "We must all be manifested before the tribunal of Christ, that every one may bear again the things which belong to his own body, according to what he hath done, whether good or evil."

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Cyril of Alexandria

AD 444

From this we learn that the soul was not punished for sins committed before it acquired a body. In fact, the soul did not exist before the body.

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Fulgentius of Ruspe

AD 533

Human beings … because they have been made rational will render an account to God for themselves and for all the things which they have received for use in this present life and, according to the nature of their works, will receive either punishment or glory. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or bad.” … Therefore, eternal life will be given in the future only to the one to whom forgiveness of sins has been given in this world. Only he will receive forgiveness of sins here who renounces his sins and hastens to the highest and true God with true conversion of heart. For that [judgment] will not be a time of forgiveness but of retribution. There mercy will not justify the sinner, but justice will distinguish the just and the sinner. .

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John Chrysostom

AD 407

Having alarmed and shaken his hearers by mentioning the judgment seat, Paul softens what he says by mentioning the possibility of receiving good rewards, as well as bad.

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John Chrysostom

AD 407

For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat. Then having alarmed and shaken the hearer by the mention of that judgment-seat, he has not even here set down the woeful without the good things, but has mingled something of pleasure, saying, That each one may receive the things done in the body, as many as he has done, whether it be good or bad. By saying these words, he both revives those who have done virtuously and are persecuted with those hopes, and makes those who have fallen back more earnest by that fear. And he thus confirmed his words touching the resurrection of the body. 'For surely,' says he, 'that which has ministered to the one and to the other shall not stand excluded from the recompenses: but along with the soul shall in the one case be punished, in the other crowned.' But some of the heretics say, that it is another body that is raised. How so? Tell me. Did one sin, and is another punished? Did one do virtuously, and is another crowned? And what wil... Read More

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Polycarp of Smyrna

AD 155

For we are before the eyes of our Lord and God, and "we must all appear at the judgment-seat of Christ, and must every one give an account of himself."

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Tertullian of Carthage

AD 220

These evidences, then, of a stricter discipline existing among us, are an additional proof of truth, from which no man can safely turn aside, who bears in mind that future judgment, when "we must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ. In this view it is that he informs us how "we must all appear before the judgement-seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according as he hath done either good or bad.". God? But by mentioning both the judgment-seat and the distinction between works good and bad, he sets before us a Judge who is to award both sentences. "That every one "as he goes on to say, "may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.". Still, although liberated from their offices, they will be yet preserved for judgment, "that every one may receive the things done in his body."

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